Only half of insured women ages 40 to 85 got a mammogram between 2006 through 2009. That’s according to a new study by a team from Medco Health Solutions who looked at medical insurance claims for the study.

Dr. Mark Pearlman, Professor of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at the University of Michigan Medical School, says there could be a number of reasons behind the new information.

“Discomfort with the test may be part of the issue, lack of access due to shortage in mammography facilities and imaging specialists may be part of the issue. And the U.S. Preventive Service Task Force came out with some recommendations last year that weren’t completely endorsed by the medical community. So there are inconsistencies and guidelines and research conclusions.”

Pearlman says mammograms have been proven to help decrease breast cancer deaths, and that, “mammography is a very good tool at not only catching cancers early, but proven to decrease mortality in women who are screened regularly.”

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